Margaret A. Briller dedicated her life to serving others through nursing, and her compassion, commitment, and selfishness are qualities I strive to embody in my own career. Like Margaret, I believe nursing is more than a profession. It is a calling to advocate for others, provide comfort during difficult moments, and improve the lives of individuals and families through compassionate care. As an African American woman and a single mother, pursuing a nursing degree has required resilience, sacrifice, and determination. Every day, I balance the responsibilities of of raising my children while attending nursing school full-time. There are long days filled with lectures, clinical preparation, studying, parenting, and managing household responsibilities. Although the journey has been challenging, my children are my greatest motivation. They remind me why I continue pushing forward, even when the obstacles seem overwhelming. I want them to see that perseverance, hard work, and education can change the course of a family's future. Financially, nursing school has been one of the greatest challenges I have faced. Despite applying for grants, scholarships, workforce assistance, there is still a gap between resources available and the actual cost of my education. As a single mother, I do not have the financial flexibility that many traditional students may have. Every dollar spent on tuition is a dollar that could otherwise go toward housing, groceries, transportation, or my children's needs. Receiving this scholarship would relieve some of that financial burden, allowing me to focus more fully on succeeding in my program and becoming the best nurse I can be. My goal is to become an LVN specializing in women's health before continuing my education to becoming a Registered Nurse. I am passionate about caring for women throughout every stage of life. From reproductive health and pregnancy to postpartum care and menopause. Too many women feel unheard or delay seeking medical care because of financial barrier, fear, or previous negative healthcare experience. I want to be a nurse who listens with empathy, educate patients, and helps women feel empowered to advocate for their own health. Beyond providing excellent patient care, I hope to make a lasting difference by promoting health education and reducing disparities that disproportionately affect underserved communities, particularly African American women. I believe representation matters, and I want my patients to see someone who understands their concerns, respects their experiences, and is committed to helping them achieve better health outcomes. Receiving the Margaret A. Briller Scholarship would be an investment not only in my education but also in the countless patients I will serve throughout my career. Margaret's legacy of compassion and service inspires me to pursue nursing with integrity, humility, and dedication. Despite the adversity I have faced as a single mother balancing family, finances, and school, I remain committed to achieving my dream. I know that the challenges I have overcome will make me a stronger, more compassionate nurse who is prepared to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others for years to come. I hope my journey demonstrates to other women, especially mothers facing similar challenges, that it is possible to overcome obstacles and pursue a meaningful career dedicated to serving others.

At 5 a.m., before the sun rises, my day already begins with responsibility. I wake up preparing lunches, getting my 11 y/o daughter ready for school, making a quick breakfast for my 2 y/o so that she is already taken care of for grandma, and then I head to work before most people have even had their first cup of coffee. There have been moments where I felt exhausted and overwhelmed, but those moments have also reminded me why I continue to push forward. As a single mother pursuing higher education, I am not only working toward a degree, I am working toward stability, opportunity, and a better future for my family. My journey so far has required sacrifice, discipline, and resilience. Balancing motherhood, work, financial responsibilities, and preparing for nursing school has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. There have been times when I questioned whether I was capable of carrying so much at once. Being responsible for others while also trying to grow personally and professionally can feel emotionally and mentally heavy. Unlike traditional students, single mothers often do not have the luxury of focusing solely on school. We carry the weight of providing, nurturing, and planning for the future all at the same time. One of the biggest challenges has been managing financial stress while still trying to remain present and emotionally available for my children. There is constant pressure to make right decisions, stay strong, and continue moving forward even when life feels uncertain. However, these challenges have also shaped me into a more compassionate, determined, and hardworking person. They have taught me how to preserve even during difficult seasons. At the same time, this journey has been deeply fulfilling. My daughters are my greatest motivation and reminder that my hard work has purpose. Knowing that they are watching me pursue my education despite obstacles inspires me to keep going. I want them to grow up seeing what resilience, faith, and determination look like firsthand. I want her to understand that circumstances do not have to define your future. Pursuing nursing is especially meaningful to me because I genuinely want to care for and advocate for others during vulnerable moments in their lives. Through my experiences in customer and patient support roles, I have learned how important compassion, patience, and empathy are. I want to become a nurse who not only provides quality care, but also makes patients feel seen, heard, and respected. Furthering my education will allow me to uplift both myself and my family by creating long-term financial stability, career growth, and opportunities that once felt out of reach. More importantly, it will allow me to build a meaningful career centered around service and purpose. My long-term goal is to continue growing with healthcare and eventually pursue nursing informatics so I can contribute to improving patient care on a larger scale. Above all, I hope my journey shows my daughters that even when life is difficult, it is still possible to dream bigger, work harder, and build a better future.